Jenson Button will start this evening's United States Grand Prix from 12th on the grid after his qualifying session was ruined by a throttle problem.

Button's Vodafone McLaren Mercedes lost power in the second session, and he failed to make the top ten on the new circuit at Austin.

“It was such a pity to be put out of the running so early into the qualifying session," said Button, from Frome.

"We had a throttle pedal problem – the engineers don’t yet know exactly what caused it – but I suffered a loss of drive out on the circuit.

"Fortunately, I got one decently quick lap in during Q2, which was good enough for P12, otherwise I’d have been starting much farther back.

“This circuit is such a fun place to drive around, but it’s not going to be too easy to overtake. Going into Turn One at the start is also going to be tricky, particularly as I’ll be starting so far back.

“Still, I really hope we can put on a great show for all the American fans – it’s great to see so many people embracing the sport.”

Button's McLaren team mate Lewis Hamilton will start from second on the grid, alongside pole position man Sebastian Vettel.